This Weekend TLN Begins 2006 Edition of “Inspiration Sensation”
Posted Thursday, Mar 16, 2006 @ 4:01 pm by Total Living Network
Contact Information: Peggy Kennedy at (630) 801-3652, Total Living Network
Organization's URL: http://www.tln.com

• Selection using vote-by-phone and/or Internet voting

Aurora, Ill., March 16, 2006 (The Religion Wire™ ) — “Oh! Youth is wasted on the wrong people!” that’s a statement by an old man in the movie classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” A Christian reality television program is making strides to make sure that there is no wasting of its 12 youth finalists.

With the help of program creator and host, Dan Willis, and the Total Living Network(TLN), the Chicago/Midwest Emmy-awarded “Inspiration Sensation,” now beginning its third season, is striving to deliver “reality TV,” with a focus. “Inspiration Sensation” celebrates the hundreds of Chicagoland’s most talented yet unrecognized voices of Christian and Gospel Music. The program’s goal is “discovering the next big voice in Christian music.” The live competition is designed to showcase the talents of amateur singers (ages 16-25) and, through a selection process, will culminate in the selection of an overall winner.

Beginning March 18, this Saturday, ten weekly live programs will originate before a studio audience of 150 each Saturday night at 8 p.m. CST from TLN’s state-of-the-art television facility in Aurora, Ill. The 2006 “Inspiration Sensation” winner will be named on the May 20 program finale.

While viewers will choose the weekly winners by vote-by-phone and/or Internet voting, a panel of expert judges will also critique performances. The three-judge panel includes Shirley Rose, executive producer and co-host of TLN’s “Aspiring Women”; Tower, radio host on Shine FM 89.7; and Ron Baker Jr., Christian comedian.

TLN held auditions at 12 sites throughout the Chicago and Rockford area for the 2006 season. A semi-final audition resulted in the final 12 contestants:

• Sheeba Alam, 21, Palatine, Ill.
• Candace Anderson, 22, Bourbonnais, Ill.
• Kent Bjurstrom, 24, Highland, Ind.
• Cody Clausen, 18, St. Charles, Ill.
• Dorothy Cooper, 18, Elgin, Ill.
• Daniel Mackey, 24, Chicago, Ill.
• Kenneth Nole, 16, Chicago, Ill.
• Tiara Purifoy, 24, Palatine, Ill.
• Jennifer Richards, 24, Kankakee, Ill.
• Quynnetta Sanders, 23, Freeport, Ill.
• Amie Weethee, 24, Bradley, Ill.
• T'Neil Wise, 17, Barrington, Ill.

You can watch TLN’s “Inspiration Sensation” on Comcast Cable throughout Chicagoland, Rockford TV 51, Rockford Insight Cable 15, KTLN-TV 68 San Francisco, KEEN-17 Las Vegas, and other affiliates. A channel listing is available at www.inspirationsensation.com. The hour long show repeats on Sunday night at 6 p.m. CST.

If either TLN or “Inspiration Sensation” are not available in your viewer area ask your cable provider or local Christian television broadcaster about access.

Stephanie Goldsmith of Rockford was TLN’s 2005 “Inspiration Sensation” Goldsmith was awarded a recording contract with Asoné Records, and also made appearances on the main stage at Chicago’s Gospel Fest and at the House of Blues. She and the 2005 cast have made appearances at both Christian and secular venues across the Chicagoland area.

For more information or to be part of the studio audience for the 2006 “Inspiration Sensation” visit www.inspirationsensation.com.

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PDF of news release

(Photos & bios available at www.inspirationsensation.com)